Greetings all,
I've been away from CR for the past year or so as family and business demanded all my available time. I've finally reached a point where I have some time to devote to the reef-keeping hobby (addiction.)
Over the past 20 years, I've built and kept a variety of smaller reef tanks including a series of rather "unique" desktop tanks. I finally have an opportunity for a larger build. This system is being placed in the living of my home with ATO and AWC equipment directly below the tank in the basement. It should end up around 325 gallons.
Here's the current equipment list:
- Tank -- GLA 270 (96" X 30 X 22) 1/2" Starphire, open top w/clear cross bracing fitted with a BeanAnimal style internal overflow (3X1.5" drains)
- Sump -- GLA 72X24X18, 135 gallon glass sump, center return with 30X24 refugeum
- Lighting, Display tank -- Kessil 360WEs, (5-7) controlled by the Apex
- Lighting, Sump/Refugeum - YTBD
- Return Pump -- Fluval SP6 135W @ 3434 GPH feeding return, refugeum and manifold
- Controller - Apex Aquacontroller, w/various modules.
- Skimmer -- Bubble King Double Cone 250 w/Vertex Vectra Engine automated neck cleaner
- Calcium reactor -- GEO 612 w/Tropic Eden and NeoMag. Aquarium Plants digital regulator
- Kalk Reactor -- 40Gal still well fed by ATO peristaltic pump
- Saltwater Make-up and storage - 2X200 gallon Norwesco 30X72" tanks, fed and mixed by Waveline 12000 (backup for return pump)
- Continous Water Change (CWC) - Cole-Parmer Masterflex w/dual peristaltic pumps
- ATO -- Osmolator water sensor using Cole-Parmer peristaltic pump.
- Water movement - YTBD likely a combination of MP60s and WP60s
- Rock -- BRS Pukani and shelf
- Substrate -- 1.5"-2" Tropic Eden Reef Flakes
- Heaters -- 2X 300W Eheim-JAGER TS, 1 Cobalt NeoTherm 200W
- GFO/GAC -- YTBD (Vertex or MR1) dual reactors running HiCap GFO and ROX .08 GAC as needed
- BioPellets - YTBD
- UV - YTBD
- Ozone - YTBD
The tank was ordered 12/16/13, expected tank and stand build time about 6 weeks. There's a lot to get done in the interim including,
- Relocate 2 existing tanks, remove hung LED lighting, repair and paint
- Remove carpeting and tile tank area
- Complete water RO/DI storage, Saltwater mixing, CWC and ATO station in basement
I expected to have to do some floor strengthening, but was pleasantly surprised to find it was not necessary. I had the tank location reviewed by a structural engineer. The tank will sit perpendicular to 5 2X10 joists spanning only 48" between the poured basement wall and steel I-beam. Nothing additional was recommended as the intended location will support 5500lbs.
Lots of decisions still pending including final decisions on lighting, overflow and sump design. This will also be my first attempt as hard-plumbing. I figured I'd start with the saltwater mixing station hoping to make the beginner mistakes there rather than on the tank.
For those that might be wondering about the "Big Blue Wall" thread title -- I'm planning on painting the wall behind the tank a cobalt blue (the rest of the room is white.) As the Kessil pendants put out an incredible amount of shimmer, and this tank is open-top, I'm hopeful it might turn the entire wall into an interesting, shimmery backdrop for the tank.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and for all the questions and advice I'll no doubt be asking for.